Conspiracy Theories, Anti-Vaxxers, and a Pandemic

Conspiracy theories are commonplace. They are appealing. Graham Lawton from New Scientist notes that:

“Conspiracy theories can… be emotionally reassuring. They provide truthful-sounding explanations for events that otherwise seem inexplicable, random or capricious, and often make your political opponents look bad. They can also give believers a pleasing sense of superiority because they – and sometimes they alone – have seen through the lies and cover-ups to reveal the ‘truth’.”

Some conspiracy theories are benign. Flat-earthers aren’t harming anyone else (although one flat earth proponent famously and tragically had his own life end in a misadventure).

However, some conspiracy theories are exceedingly dangerous.

According to a 2020 March poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, “only about half of Americans say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine…. 31% simply weren’t sure if they’d get vaccinated. Another 1 in 5 said they’d refuse.”

This seems extraordinary given the sheer numbers of US citizens impacted by COVID-19 (as of 3/7/20 2,837,189 confirmed cases and 131,485 deaths).

This begs the question –  why is there so much distrust toward the scientific consensus that vaccines are safe and effective for the vast majority of people?

Christine Sismondo notes that:

"People who believe one conspiracy theory are more prone to believe others… mistrust of authority and expertise… has been on the rise for decades as people have questioned established science, even when scientists have achieved consensus."

The growing distrust in science may owe much to the relentless 30 plus year campaign from the climate denial industry. Indeed, I suggest climate denial has been like a “gateway drug” for other conspiracy theories, by undermining faith in scientific expertise.

However, some conspiracy theories only achieve a fringe following. It is usually the better funded conspiracies that gain significant momentum. So who is behind the anti-vaxx movement?

With such questions, always follow the money.

Neena Satija from the Washington Post writes that “over the past decade a single donor has contributed more than $2.9 million to the National Vaccine Information Center, accounting for about 40 percent of the organization’s funding, according to the most recent available tax records. That donor, osteopathic physician Joseph Mercola, has amassed a fortune selling natural health products, court records show, including vitamin supplements, some of which he claims are alternatives to vaccines.”

Most of the anti-vaxx advertisements on Facebook come from two sources: the World Mercury Project run by Robert Kennedy Jr, and the Stop Mandatory Vaccinations campaign run by Larry Cook.

The snake oil salesmen of the 21st century make large amounts of money by claiming vitamins and assorted other natural products are better protection from disease than vaccination. They sell books and seminars and rake in sponsorships.

Children die. Fraudsters make profits.

It is easy to be complacent about diseases that have largely disappeared in developed countries due to vaccination. In 2020 we are experiencing the devastation of a disease with no known vaccine. Perhaps this will provide further impetus to silence the voice of those who profit off scientific ignorance.